My Review of Heretic (2024)

 

Written And Directed by Scott Beck And Bryan Woods

Reed: "Well, ladies. I think it's time."

Sister Barnes: "Time for what?"

Reed: "Time for enlightenment."

2024 has been quite the year for horror with both well received sequel/prequels and other original fare seeping through. Yes, there's also been a few duds but the output has been largely positive this year.

Now where does this movie fit? Is it good or bad? Does it try to do something new within the genre? After all, it's not the first religious themed horror movie this year but it's one where we're spared demonic pregnancies, so points there.

The movie started off with two Mormon missionaries - Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East). They're spreading the word of God and on their way, they make the unwise decision to visit obvious weirdo, Mr Reed (Hugh Grant). It's a decision they end up regretting.

Going into the strange man's house, they keep asking for his wife (as part of their own beliefs to have a woman in the room with them) and he kept trying to derail the conversation. Eventually when it dawned on them that he's nuts, they're given a terrible option in order to get their freedom back.

The second half of the movie somewhat trailed into weirdness. There was an old woman (Elle Young) rambling about being a prophet and then Sister Barnes was seemingly killed off after a secret about her was revealed (a contraceptive implant). Then Reed showed Paxton all the other women that he had kept prisoner.

Needless to say, there's a battle of wits between both Reed and Paxton about the nature of all religions being used to control people. It's a bit messily done but Hugh Grant certainly sold that scene well before one of them managed to make it out of the movie alive.

- A blueberry pie was actually a blueberry scented candle and Sister Paxton had a thing for butterflies.

- Topher Grace had a brief but not very interesting or effective role as Elder Kennedy.

- Standout music: There's references to Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Creep and The Air That I Breathe.

- Chronology: Present day America. I'm uncertain as to where it's specifically set.

Heretic was a nice against type role for Hugh Grant and he certainly played the role well. He's backed up nicely by both Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. Overall, while not as good as I thought it would, it's pretty solid and made for a diverting time. 

Rating: 7 out of 10